Quentin Collins/Brandon Allen Quartet.
Collins (tpt/flg); Allen (ten.sop); Ross Stanley (org); Enzo Zirilli (dms).
(Review by Lance - Photo courtesy of Bill Shakespeare)
(Review by Lance - Photo courtesy of Bill Shakespeare)
A powerhouse set with blistering tenor from Allen, cool fully toned trumpet and flugel from Collins, mighty organ and bass pedals from Stanley and more impressive drumming from the man from Torino. A program of originals by both front line men that ranged from the boppy opener What's it Gonna Be? to the closing number - another quizzical one - Why? In between there was Beauty in Quiet Places with mellow flugel horn, Oscar's Lullaby - dedicated to one of the leaders' young child, The Paw of Discontent - dedicated to one of the leaders' - I forget which one - cat, Dark Shadows which was inspired by Hammer movies and Teeth For Two based on a tune of a similar name.
Jim Birkett Trio and guests.
Birkett (gtr); Paul Baxter (bs); Paul Tilley (dms); Tom Harrison (alt).(Review and photo by Lance.)
In between sets the Jim Birkett Trio laid down some nice standards such as Out of Nowhere, A Nightingale Sang in you know where,, One Note Samba and in their next intermission riff Tom Harrison blew some good alto that lost nothing in comparision to some of the more illustrious names appearing in the main hall. Prelude to a Kiss was particularly interesting. - Photos.
Darius Brubeck Quartet.
Brubeck (pno); Dave O'Higgins (ten/sop); Matt Ridley (bs); Wesley Gibbens (dms).(Review by Lance - Photo courtesy of Bill Shakespeare.)
Brubeck, without his brothers (or his father!) gave a choice mix of Dave Brubeck hits and his own compositions. Dave O'Higgins was superb looking the epitome of cool in light grey suit and matching tie. As in most Brubeck concerts whether senior or junior the finale was Take Five but the stand out number was In Your Own Sweet Way - a tune that can walk tall in any company and this quartet more than did it proud - they deified it in my eyes/ears.
Others that stood out were Lion at the Bar; Cathy's Summer, Raverley Street and Years Ago.
Very enjoyable and young Darius is doing his father proud.
Martin Taylor (gtr) & Alan Barnes (clt.).(Review by Lance - Photo courtesy of Bill Shakespeare.)
This was a delightful vignette with Martin Taylor taking time out from adding photos to his Facebook page to join compere Barnes for a duo set that was positively sparkling in an ethereal, sepulchral way.
Touches of Goodman from the Barnes clarinet on Jersey Bounce ably aided and abetted by Martin Taylor who showed no signs of being daunted at having to follow Jim Birkett! Willow Weep For Me was haunting in its plaintive melody. A surprising tribute to Acker Bilk on Stranger on the Shore, more BG on Gone With The Wind. Ain't Misbehavin' saw Taylor demonstrate what lovely chords this tune can handle, Seraphina one of MT's originals, They Can't Take That Away From Me, Be My Love (that's right - the Mario Lanza classic that was perfectly Taylored for the duo if you'll excuse my awful pun) and finally, The Song is You - no guys, the song tonight was definitely You.
Chapeaux!
Lance.
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